Program

Linguistics

Linguistics is the scientific study of language in all its aspects. These issues are investigated from diverse perspectives, including biological, cognitive, developmental, educational, historical and sociocultural.

Linguistics at USC has an interdisciplinary focus, but at the same time aims to provide its graduate students with a strong background in linguistics theory. Students are trained to pursue research and teach in a wide range of linguistic sub-disciplines. The program affords students the opportunity to take coursework or pursue specializations in areas such as discourse analysis, Chinese/French/German/Spanish linguistics, historical linguistics, linguistic anthropology, philosophy of language, phonology, psycholinguistics, second/foreign language acquisition and teaching, semantics, sociolinguistics and syntax.

The Linguistics Program collaborates with departments including Anthropology; English Language and Literature; Languages, Literatures, and Cultures; Philosophy; Psychology; the English Programs for Internationals; Communication Sciences and Disorders; Computer Science and Engineering; and Education. It is committed to building bridges with many disciplines and to illuminating the important role of language and the study of language in all aspects of our lives.

The Linguistics Program offers MA and Ph.D. degrees in Linguistics, as well as a graduate Certificate in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL). At the undergraduate level it offers a minor in Linguistics.